Holmes_and_Watson

Form the comments, it looks as though a lot of us looked at that midfield and realised there was no physical presence, capability of control in the side. Now we have Adams and Aribo on there, but needlessly chasing the game.

I thought, when he came back we'd seen at least some of that replaced with better decision making. But reverting to what he likes best tonight, even when there is some support/ people waiting in the box.

Aribo looking very mobile again. Good to see.

Well wide from Smallbone. But at last some decent passing to give the space for the shot. Before that, we had 3 in the box. Edozie still tries to take on his man.

Martin has repeatedly said he does not believe in a plan b. Just a better plan a. Which should lead to 5 half time subs, and everyone with a kick up the rear, after that 45. 🙂

Oooft. That was a tough watch. We've talked about the strength and depth of our bench. Unfortunately we have decided to start with our weak links in the first eleven. Others aren;t capable of putting a stamp on the game, partly as a result of that. Downes is the biggest miss. Rothwell isn;t cpable at present of fulfilling that role. We had no control over the midfield and he was constantly giving it away when we had it. Poor decision making on a standard press gifted them their second. Smallbone looks caught out both defensively and going forward. He makes himself availalbe form the back two. But isn;t a DM. So not much control. Not many passing options around him, so unable to make an impact there either. Edozie used to just run at defences due to poor decision making. Tonight, he's had very few options around him to help him out. Manning has offered nothing in support, either wehn trying to push up and offered little defensive cover when Hull have pushed forward. Mara needs support to thrive. He's not ahd any and has been peripheral. Half a team of players not anywhere near the required level tonight. Stu, with a couple of late moments, and AA, who has been very quiet, not able to carry them. Across the team, we've managed little control, haven;t made much of our possession and have given no real moments of our trademark passing moves. Looking forward to a much better second half from us.

Bedders giving Manning a few harsh words after another given away. We at least got an attack there. Stu doing well. AA couldn;t get it through to Mara, who was a littel wider anyway.

Edozie gets a corner. But he's taking on 3 or 4 players.

That was a decent passing move, with Bedders doing well to wait for the right angles. Quite a long pass from deep, and Rothwell loses possession. So it's Hull again. Booked KWP a frustrated figure.

Are you sure you want one? really sure? https://papa8k.live/southampton-vs-hull-city/

Hull fans must be loving watching this. Lots of possession. Flowing forward, and beyond the stats of shots, there have been more that they could have done better with.

Oh, and it was Rothwell there too. A very poor use of MartinBall there. As I was saying. Good attacking skills. But lack of fitting into the system at its best, to the point we're a bit compromised. Hull swarming over us. We can;t put passes together, let alone dominate possession. 9 shots with 4 on target for them 2 shots with 1 on target for them. Anotehr comedy moment from Manning. Again, we didn;t ahve those passing options and both Manning and Rothwell aren;t at the level to cope when pressed.

Option to pass back to Manning there....passed back to Baz instead. A sign of confidence in Manning there. We're just not passing through them. I don;t know how much of this is Rothwell. For all the attacking skill he has, I've had some doubts about him defensively. Meanwhile we give it away and concede another.

Edozie and Manning buy us a couple of freekicks. In the end Baz still punts it. We're trying to use Edozie a lot. But he's having one of those games where his final ball or decision hasn;t come off. What isn;t helping him is the lack of passing choices he's got.

And then you have to listen to Merson saying something. 🙂

A spin and shot there. They had a fair bit of space again. Just as well he couldn;t take it on the foot it arrived to him on. Hull have enough pace, and our set up is disjointed enough that we're not out of the blocks here.

I take it that it's Manning who is getting done just the way you like your breakfast kipper at left back?

>gasp< Beneath the mask of a bearded, wellness manager... ...it's The Tinkerer!

Same again there. It was blazed over from range. But we were chasing them with every pass.

We were a touch off every challenge and every close down on that move.

Bah!

I thought that was still going in on the replay. 🙂

Everton do have other charges pending, relating to the same issue. They could well end up with more than the 10 point deduction. Even if the first is reduced on appeal, they may get just as many with the second.

Well, I thought Maintland-Niles would also offer some versatility and cover too. It just takes me a while to realise that, just because a top level club signed/ kept them, doesn't mean they aren't deadwood. 🙂

I thought Holgate was a good standard of player to bring in to fight for places, and give depth across the back. Clearly took time to get up to speed, with some less than great decision making. And, with everyone else doing well, rightly slipped down the pecking order. By the time he left, I wasn't that alarmed with his involvement. Today's challenge showed no thought whatsoever, about the game in front of him, or the impact on his team. To do it, when they are fighting for every point, and get suspended. Wilder may be looking at other options he can trust there. I don't begrudge him looking for minutes. But he's not made the best of impacts at 3 clubs this season.